Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – “Here We Rest”

It’s not a well-kept secret that Jason Isbell songs just send me tingling all over, right? So, my old cabana boy called me the other night and said “Have you heard the new Jason Isbell record?”

“No, where’d you hear it?”

“Oh, they’re playing a few tracks on Outlaw Country on Sirius. There’s one song with a line that goes something like ‘I’m taking it home to go it alone again.'” Then he said a lot of other shit while I scrambled to look up the phone number of the only available place to shop in this little town, the sub-par conglomerate that I won’t even name. They had two copies, so I snagged them both. One for him (to rub it in, see?) and one for me to keep in the wrapper and fondle, while I “tested” the gift copy. Cover art by Browan Lollar. Birds, this time. Beautiful, as always.

Opening Track: “Alabama Pines” – perfect! 5 stars.

2nd Track: “Go It Alone” – Every bit as appropriate and touching as promised. Love this song.

3rd Track: “We’ve Met” – Very convincing. Very Jason. So good.

4th Track: “Codeine” – “One of her friends has taken her in and given her Codeine.” That’s the refrain, but let me give you a sample line from one of the later verses:

“If there’s one thing I can’t take,
it’s the sound a woman makes,
about five seconds after her heart begins to break.
That’s one thing I can’t take.”

Can this man write or what? And his voice sounds as sweet and real as ever. And the band sounds better than ever.

Don’t miss this album. I almost did. I was so pissed about not hearing of it first I went straight out and bought the whole SiriusXM car thingy and fancy home speaker unit, too.

2 Responses to Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – “Here We Rest”

Gracey, I’m so glad you wrote this article! I had no idea about Jason’s newest release, so thanks for this. I just listened to “Alabama Pines.” It got to me on the first listen, but I’ve listened to it five times now. I agree — it’s a perfect 5-stars! “No one gives a damn about the things I give a damn about … ” Who hasn’t felt like this before? Makes me want to give more of a damn when I’m riding through those Carolina Pines. Anyway, bittersweet and beautiful with a universal theme that really reached out to me on this Monday morning.

The band sounds great and Jason’s voice is indeed just as sweet and real as ever. The man has such a gift for writing. Monday equals payday equal Jason. Thanks for leading me in the right direction … tingles and all!

Oh — the cover art by Browan Lollar IS absolutely beautiful! The layout and color scheme catches a real spark of creativity. I think it has its own story. I think I’d like to frame it. 🙂